Radio program selector



Nov. 15, 1949 w. A. LEA ,2

RADIO PROGRAM SELECTOR Filed Feb. 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. erA. L811 flT'TOK/VEY- Nov. 115,- 1949 I W; A. LEA I 2,488,207

7 RADIO PROGRAM SELECTOR Filed Feb. 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

To Tum/v6 v cm C T HT TOENEY,

Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES 2,488,207 RADIO PROGRAM SELECTORWalter Alexander Lea, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-third toGeorge Henry Cunnington and one-third to Nils A. Thiebaud, both of LosAngeles, Calif.

Application February 23, 1945, Serial No. 579,470

'7 Claims. (Cl. 25020) The invention relates to a program selector andmore particularly to tape controlled apparatus employing a tape havingpunch marks which form a record of desired radio programs, the tapecontrolling the apparatus to turn a radio receiver on or 01f and changeor select a broadcast station.

Paper may be used as the tape. If the tape is employed to break acontrol circuit, an electric spark results which may damage or burn thetape. This is overcome according to the present invention by employingthe tape only to make the control circuit, not to break it, the circuitbeing broken elsewhere remote from the tape. For this purpose, theinvention provides a switch which may be designated a selector switchfor each tuning device and for the power supply circuit, with meansoperative, when the tape operates a particular switch, to (1) look thatswitch in actuated position, (2) open the energizing circuit of thatswitch, and (3) restore the previously actuated switch to the control ofthe tape, thus saving current.

Use may be made of an endless tape or a strip of tape having ends. Whenusing a strip of tape, it has been found that when the end of the tapearrives in the apparatus, a noise is produced in the radio receiver dueto the fact that all the selector switches are energized whereby thetuning devices and power supply circuit are inces- V santly and rapidlycut in and out of circuit, as a switch when energized releases theothers, and when a switch is released it is immediately energized again.This defect is overcome according to the present invention by renderinginefiective tape control of the selector switches when the end of thetape arrives. Also before the end of the tape arrives, assuming theprogram is over, a punch mark in the tape is operative to operate thepower, supply selector switch which mechanically locks up, using nocurrent, with the power supply cut off and with the tuning controlselector switches in idle position. When the same or another tape isstarted through the apparatus, it is not necessary to start a program byusing a punch mark for the power supply, as a punch mark for a givenradio station operates the corresponding tuning control selector switchto thereby release the power supply selector switch to idle position andconnect the power supply in circuit.

For further details of the invention, reference may be made to thedrawings wherein- Fig. l is a plan view, partly in section, looking downat the top of what is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation looking at the timing means as connectedto actuate the tape record as the same is passed under electricalcontacting fingers which are a SQclated with the record tape,

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a detail spring means for holdingelectrical contact fingers in place.

Fig. 4 is a plan view, with parts broken away, looking at the bottom ofthe spring means of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an end view in elevation, with parts broken away, lookingtowards the right at the contact fingers in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan detail on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the mechanism forholding the tape in contact with the feed drum which is actuated by thetiming means.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of a set of stripping fingers contacting theinside of the record tape for stripping the tape from the feed drum.These fingers indicated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a vertical elevation of a magnetic switching block, parts ofwhich are omitted for clearness of illustration.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of one of the magnetic switching blocksof vwhich there are a plural number shown in Fig. 8. What is shown inFig. 9 is a transverse view as to what is shown at the left unit asshown in Fig. 8. This being a single unit of a magnetic switch connectedinto the system for any given single radio circuit, there being aplurality of this structure as indicated by Fig. 9 in any given unit ofmy invention. These units of Fig. 9 switch in and out any radio programarranged for by the holes in the record tape.

' Fig. 10 is a transverse detail looking in the opposite direction online lfll0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a vertical elevation'on line ll-ll of Fig. 8 of a magneticswitch unit, of which only one unit is used in the magnetic switchingblock and this unit is indicated by the unit at the right end of Fig. 8.The purpose of this switching unit of Fig. 11 is to switch on and offthe line current of any electrical supply needed in the use of myinvention.

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram indicating the electrical circuits which areswitched in and out by the magnetic construction of what are indicated.in Figs. 8, 9 and 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional View similar in part to Fig. 11 showing some ofthe parts in different posi tion from what is shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a plan View on line 14-44 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional elevation through a part of a solenoidas shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a wiring connection to a solenoid.

Fig. 1'? is a perspective view of a switching block as relates to theelectrical contact the details of which will be described later.

Fig. 18 is a perspective View of an interlocking Par Which holds aswitch in a definite position.

With my invention, referring now to the drawing, tape 2 is made of anysuitable material, such as paper. This strip of tape 2 is provided inthe form of a definite length and width measured for the service desiredand may be made as wide or as narrow as needed, and also as long asneeded, to provide a sufiicient area to carry seven lines of punch holesthrough the tape 2.

The tape here shown as to the number of lines of punch holes in the tape2 is marked to carry five lines of punch holes for five difierent radiostations, each line representing one station. In addition to those fivestation lines there is another line of punched holes in the tape 2 andthis line of holes control an operating switch which shuts an theelectric current supply to the radio in which my magnetic switch isinstalled for any given unit of radio receiving set.

In addition to the above mentioned rows of holes in the said tape '2,there is another line of holes of a continuous line equidistantly spacedby the means of which the tape is fed continuously through the timingunit as herein described.

This tape is provided in a definite length to cover the number of radioprograms to be provided for as desired. The tape may be made ascontinuous band or belt, or may be made in a definite length and havethe ends joined together as desired or may be made in certain specialcases as a continuous length sufficient to run for a given length oftime, and then become discharged from the timing mechanisms and thenre-entered as desired for further service.

Referring now to the clock or timing means as hereinbefore mentioned,the tape after being punched in any suitable manner with holes S, T, maybe placed into the timing mechanisms as a single piece of tape of anygiven length or for a single or for a number of programs on one piece oftape. Or a given length of tape measured for a certain period of timemay be made and punched for programs as desired and the ends of thattape connected together bringing about; an endless ring of tape which isplaced into the timing means to be passed through the said timing meanscompletely around and around as. many times as desired for any givenservice of programs;

The timing means in which the tape is used aster: having been preparedby the punching means are indicated by Figures 1 through 7. In thistiming means the; endless band of tape as mounted, therein is indicatedby 2. The timing means is indicated by a clock dial: 6! in which theminute hand is indicated by 62 and the hour hand by 63. On theshaft ofthe hour hand there is a gear 64 see Figure 2. This gear 64 meshesintoaconnecting gear 65 which in turn meshes into a gear 66 on a shaft 61. Atape drum 68- is: frictionally mounted on the shaft 61.

The tapedrum 68 is provided at its middle portion with a sprocket wheel69 which sprocket wheel engages the. perforations 8- of the tape 2 asand when, the tape 2. is mounted and trained around suitable guidewaysand idler supporting drum. as. desiredin any given case.

The rows of holes in the tape 2 indicated by S, and T being programsystem of holes, are synchronized. to the time periods by means offVOlVing the drum 68 on the shaft 6'! by frictional slippages. on theshaft 6? without thereby revolving the, shaft of the hand gear of thetiming mechanisms. This frictional resistance is carefully adjusted torevolve the tape drum but not the hour hand.

Mounted in a suitable frame and means for supporting the timing means,there is supported a table 10 over which the tape 2 is trained. Thistable HI carries on its underside an insulating block H which extends tothe left and is provided at the edge with contact bars Ha, Hb, the topsof which are flush with the table 10. And to this contact bar Ha thereis connected an electric conductor wire 12 connected to a springswitchblade 12a which is connected by conductor 12b to the secondary windin ofthe power supply transformer 13, see Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, theswitch blade 32a is shunted by a conductor I121) connected at one end toconductor 12b and at its other end to the contact bar 'Hb.

Mounted in any suitable manner across the top of the timing means asherein shown there is a rocking shaft 15 on which is fixed a block ofinsulating material 16. Connected into this block 16 there are a seriesof conductor fingers 11', the left ends of which are turned downward andadapted to spring into the holes S and T in the tape 2 and therebycontact the bar Ha as the tape 2 is moved toward the left in Figures 1and 2.

At the connection of the conductor fingers 17 with the block 16 thereare screws 18 which clamp the fingers 11 to the block 16. Connected tothe screws 78 there are conductor wires 19 which are combined in thecable 36 which extend to a switching block previously mentioned in theearly part of this specification.

In the use of thi program selector, as a general situation, the recordtape will be made in a continuous band, but it may be composed ofspecial strips not connected together as a continuous band. These stripsof any desired length will be inserted into the timing mechanismsmanually by inserting the end of the strip into the feeding meansprovided in the timing means. The tape, when in the machine, as and whenit may be passed through to the end of any one strip, there would thenoccur a sudden contact of all the conductor fingers ll, making anelectric disturbance of the program selector. To guard against such anemergency, I provide a spring switch blade 12a as previously described,which becomes a circuit-breaker. This is made of conducting material andis provided with an upward projecting portion 12d, which bears on theunderside of the tape 2, see Figures 3, 4 and 5. Immediately above thisprojection 7212 there is mounted a couple of small rollers 72c mountedon a spring arm- 12), which spring arm is secured to the underside ofthe block 16.

As and when the tape 2 passes along to where the end of it clears theroller [20, the spring 12 presses down theswitch blade 12a, and therebybreaks open the electrical circuits to the timing mechanism, whichcircuits extend to the solenoid switching mechanisms as a safety devicein using the program selector. However be it observed that there is ashunt 'Wire 1721) that bridges around the opening caused by the roller'i2c depressing switch lever 12a, which leaves closed the circuit fromthe segment of contact bar 'Hb to the solenoid I96; thus when the taperuns out, the finger in position over segment lib makes contacttherewith, thus energizing solenoid I which acts to discontinue theelectric service to the radio in which this unit is installed.

Any suitable means may be used for revolving the shaft 15 in position tohold the contact fingers I1 in-a slight spring pressure sufiicient tocause any single finger TI to drop through a hole in the tape andcontact the electric conductor in two sections straddling the sprocketwheel 59 and the roller is held in place by aspring arm 84 the ends ofwhich are fixed to a block 85 on a shaft 86. The shaft 86 is mounted inany suitable manner in the framework of the device. 'On the end of theshaft 86 there is mounted a radial arm 81 which is hinged to a rod 88which exifj e l f th r htan s'ib id h radial. a r82; as the shaft I5 ismoved by the vertical'spring 8|, that same movement acts upon the the 88to rock the shaft 86, and'thereby hold ythe roller 83 to hold the tape 2onto the drum 681 tAhan'dleBB is provided for rocking the shaft thehandle is lifted upwardly in a man- ]rier to lift'the'roller 83'clear ofthe tape 2 and the drum *68. Whenthis action takes place the connectingrod 8 8 act sto rock the shaft 15 in the same direction as the shaft 85is rocked. And this results-in lifting the'spring contact finigers 1T,thus making a clear way to introduce a new tape or remove an old one orallowing the tapeZ' to" travel through its'course continuously withoutbeing contacted by the contact finer's 11.

As and when thecontact Tl are not contacting the tape, no current willflow to the switching mechanism to which the cable wires 80 areconnected from the timing mechanism in any instance wherein a radiostation is switched'in as hereinbefore described. 4 By referring toFigure 2, the tape 2 at the top of the figure and underneath the fingersTI -is drawn toward the left by the clock-or timing movement and thusthe tape 2 will pass downward off from the drum 68. To insure thestripping of the tape 2 from the sprocket wheel 69,

there is provided the stripping fingers 90, s'ee Figures 2 and 7, whichfingers are fastened to a a cross block 9 I fixed in the framework ofthe device in any suitable manner.

Referring now to Figures 8, 9, l0, 11, 12, .14land 15, they relate tothe switchingmechanismshereinbefore mentioned and described asmagnetically operated switches. In the aforementioned cable 80 there aresix conductor wires insulated from each other in the cable. In thediagram of Figure 2 the wire connection 721) enters a transformer I3which is in turn connected to the terminal block I4. The terminalblockT4 is a part of. the magnetic switching block as hereinbefore referredto. j

The said magnetic switching block is provided with the supporting basehereinshown as.a "fiat bed plate I00 made of any suitable material.Extending upward from the base I00,there:are the end supporting wallsIOI which may-beLof metal or any suitable material. At the'top portionof these walls and on'the inside thereof, there is fixed endcross blocksI02 'of insulating material. Onthe top of these blocks. I02 there 7 ismounted a plate I03 of insulating material,

which is the top frame plate of the magnetic {switch This plate I03isfixed on thetops of i the end cross blocks I02. The end cross blocksI92 are connected across on the back by the aforementioned terminalblock I4.

Mounted to the lower side of the end cross blocks I02, there is a plateI04 of insulating material. On the underside of the plate I04 there arefixed six solenoids as indicated in'- Figures 8 and 14. Thesesolenoids-are allsimilanin construction and five of'them,'indicated'byI05, being --all of those five at the left of Figures 8 and 14,

relate to switching in and out for different radio "stations, and theother, indicated by I90 or the {.sixthone being the solenoid at theright of Fig- :ure 8, is used in switching off the current to the radio.a v

The numbers of these solenoids may be more i or less than those fiveindicated as I05 for tuning in on any given program for whichthis.instrument maybe provided for. e

. LThese solenoids I55 and I06 are substantially alike in constructionand areof a construction of more or less cornmonsypracticeas tolth'edetails'of the part of the solenoids.

The magnetic coil of all of the six solenoids are indicated in Figure.16 .as I01. This .coil isienclosed by a protecting'shellt'l08'madefofiron;see 1 Figure 9. This shell adds tothemagneticpower of thesolenoid.v The'plunge'rsused in thesesoles holds 105 and I06 may be. of.any. suitable construction for thepurposedesireibut I prefer to 1provide a special plunger indicated in cross section in Figure in whichthe lower end I09Iof i the plunger is made of so'ft'iron and isvsuitablyconnected at. itstop bya non-magnetic block I I0 1 which may be madefrom any suitable" non-magnetic material.

011 the inside 0f the block Hi] I provide. a screwthrea'ded stem I I Iof non-mag- 'netic metal 'on .the top of which 'there is provided acone-shaped cap H2. The stem IIIpasses 1 through an insulating plate II3, which-is a small r'ectangular. plate shown in perspective in Figure2 17. I Above theplate 'I I3 .there is screwed onto the stem I I I ,aclamping nut I IA 'of any suitable nonmagnetic material. A plateilikeII3'withits 1 three contacts is provided for the plunger for each of thefive solenoids I05 andlplate, I34 with its i contact strip 131, providedfor solenoid I05,:plat'es I13 and I34 are each provided witha projectionII5 made of the insulating material as that of T the plate itself orother suitable form composed of insulating material. I.

.The' electrical contact fingers all trail along over the insulatingtape 2which is punched with holes S, T, and thecontact fingers TI rideon the h tape 2, the unpunched..part of aitfholds the circuit open atfingers TI. .When 'aihole S, "1, passes under one ofthe-fingers.I.I,Lbyspring action the points of these'contact fingers drop down through oneo'f the" holes'S, T, in'the tape 2,and there- 1 by close an electricalcircuit which causes oneof the fivesolenoids I05 or solenoid i 06 toact. This circuit is shown in Fig; '2'and is as follows, one terminal ofall six of the solenoids I05, E06 are connected together to line I2:which is connected to one'side of transformer I3. The other 'side ofwhile the remaining five solenoids I05 terminate in "contact" fingers'I'Iabove contact plate Ila. When those contact fingers'l'l are liftedbythe tapethe're' is opportunity.- for a spark? or; heating contactwhich might damage the tape as the circuit is broken. This is overcomeby the present invention as each solenoid is mechanically locked up inactuated position and its operating circuit is opened instantly throughcontact fingers H9, being separated by projection H on the plate H3 orI34 on the plunger of the actuated solenoid.

Mounted on the inside underneath the plate I03 there is mounted aninterlocking bar I I6 having trunnion pins I I? which are hinged intothe cross blocks I02. On the lower edge of the interlocking bar IIBthere is a curved catch lip II8. The trunnion pins of the bar II6 arelocated substantially in a direct line above the cone-shaped cap I I2 invertical center line of the solenoids I05 and I06. The lip H8 beingofiset from the body of the bar III: causes the gravity action to causethe bar to rock downwardly as the apparatus is normally mounted with thesolenoids located in plumb line vertical alignment, the action ofgravity on the bar H5 is to cause its hooked shaped catch to swingacross the top of the cone cap I I2 as and when the cap H2 is below thebar IIG in any given instance of the six solenoids herein indicated.

As and when any solenoid is in its maximum downward position with itscap I I2 below the bar I It, gravity tends to cause the catch I I8 toswing across over the center of the said cap I I2.

On any given impulse upwardly of the solenoid plunger excited by anelectrical current, the cap II2 of the plunger contacts the bottom edgeof the catch H8 and thereby forces the bar IE6 aside until catch I I8 isreleased to swing by gravity to hook under the cap I I2 as shown inFigures 8, 9 and 10, thereby locking the solenoid plunger upwardly asshown in Figures 9, 10 and at the left of Figure 8. Thus there becomesbroken the electrical circuit which was energized by a contact fingerpassing through a punched hole in the tape as brought about by timingmechanisms as herein before described. Thus there is prevented by thismeans any heating current which is brought into service by the switchingmeans of the timing means.

As and when any solenoid is actuated by the electrical current throwingup its plunger to the limit of upward stroke, there is thereby cut offthe current which energized the said solenoid. The means of cutting offthis current is provided by the block I I3 which is mounted on itssolenoid plunger and carries the projection H5 which is located betweenthe spring contacts, see Figure 16, which are fastened on the insulatingplate I04. These contacts II9 on one side are connected by a conductorwire I connected to the electrical coil of the solenoid and the otherleg is connected to the conductor wire I2 I, which is common to all thesolenoids as being the return circuit for the six different contactfingers of the timing means controlled by the moving tape hereindescribed.

The sudden upward impulse of each solenoid plunger causes the projectionI I5 of its insulating block I I3 or I32 on the complete upward strokeof the plunger to spread apart its spring contact finger H9 to break thecircuit of that solenoid as will be apparent from Fgures 9, 10, 13 and16.

Across the blocks II3 of insulating material there is mounted threestrips of electrical conductor material I22 on the blocks H3 for all ofthe five solenoids I05. The plate like I I3 for solenoid I06 is shown atI32 in Fig. 14. Plate I34 controls the power supply circuit I30, I3Iwhich is closed by contact strip I31 when plate I33 is in its lowerposition shown in Fig. 8 where solenoid E08 is deenergized. The powersupply circuit I30, I3I is broken at strip I31 when solenoid I06 isenergized.

Mounted on the top edges of the insulating plate I03, there are springcontact fingers I23, see Figures 8, 9, l0 and 12, in groups above eachof the solenoids I05. The spring contacts II9 are present with each ofthe solenoids I05 and I06 in the form indicated by Figures 9, 10 and 11.These spring contact fingers as shown in Figure 12 are arranged ingroups of three on each side of the plate I03. Those on the side I24 ofthe plate I03 are connected to conductor wire lines three in numberindicated by I25, all three of which lead to one side of the tuningcircuit of the radio. On the other side I26 of the plate I03 the threeconductor lines I2'I in each group are connected to one side ofcondensers I28 which are of suitable value, and the other side of thecondensers of each group are connected to wires I20 which lead to theother side of the tuning circuit of the radio. In the example shown inFig. 12, wherein there are three condensers in each group, it is assumedthat the radio has three tuning elements such as tuning coils, onecondenser of a group would be connected to one tuning coil, a secondcondenser of one group to a second tuning coil and the third condenserof a group to a third coil, the values of the three condensers in eachgroup being appropriate to whatever kind of radio circuit is employed,as well understood. Hence, each time one of the plungers is held up tothereby operate a selector switch having the contacts like I23, aparticular group of three condensers is connected to the radio so as totune it for a particular station, other stations being tuned when otherplungers operate. If the radio circuit has only two tuned circuits,there need be only two condensers in each group I20.

The conductor wires controlled by the solenoid I06 are indicated by I30and I3I and these conductor wires I30 and I3I constitute the electriccircuit of the power supply for the radio.

In the position indicated by Figure 11, the electric current supply isat all times connected up for operating the switching mechanismsinvolved by the solenoids I05. As and when the timing mechanism carriesthe tape through the spring fingers to a punched hole arranged formaking the contact to the solenoid I06, a projection H5 of a plate I I3moves up between the spring fingers II9 as indicated in Figures 11 and13 from the position of Figure 11 to that of Figure 13.

Referring now to Figure 14 the terminal block hereinbefore mentioned asI4 is connected at its end to the cross blocks I02. Conductor wire I33of Figs. 2 and 14 goes to the cable to the timing mechanism andconductor wire I2 I extends therefrom to the other terminal of thesolenoids I05 and I06.

What is claimed is:

1. Program selector apparatus for changing the tuning of a radio set inaccordance with a tape program record, said apparatus comprising meansproviding a path for the tape, a plurality of tape controlled switchesin said path, a plurality of solenoids and circuits therefor eachcontrolled by one of said switches, a plurality of plungers eachoperated by one of said solenoids, a switch controlled by each of saidplungers and controlling the circuit of its respective solenoid, meansfor holding said plungers in actuated position, a power supply circuitfor the radio set, one of said plungers having a switch closing said 9power supply circuit when said one plunger is not operated by itssolenoid and opening said power supply circuit when said one plunger isoperated by its solenoid, tuning devices and circuits thereforcontrolled by others of said plungers, and means operated on actuationof the plunger of a selected solenoid to release the plunger of thepreviously energized solenoid and operate its plunger switch to restorethe control of such previously energized solenoid to its respective tapecontrolled switch.

2. Program selector for changing the tuning of a radio set in accordancewith a tape program record, said apparatus comprising means providing apath for the tape, a plurality of tape controlled switches in said path,a plurality of solenoids and circuits therefor each controlled by one ofsaid switches for idle or actuated condition, a plunger for each of saidsolenoids, a power supply circuit for the radio set, one of saidplungers having a switch closing said power supply circuit when said oneplunger is idle and opening said power supply circuit when said oneplunger is actuated, tuning devices operated by others of said plungers,means responsive to the operation of each plunger to open the saidcircuit for its solenoid instantly after that solenoid is actuated andclose that circuit when such solenoid is idle and its plunger isreleased, and a mechanical latch device constructed and arranged to holdan actuated one of said plungers in actuated position and release thepreviously actuated one of said plungers.

3. Program selector apparatus for changing the tuning of a radio set inaccordance with a tape program record, said apparatus comprising meansproviding a path for the tape, a plurality of tape controlled switchesin said path, a plurality of solenoids and circuits therefor eachcontrolled by one of said switches, a plunger for each of saidsolenoids, a power supply circuit for the radio set, one of saidplungers having a switch closing said power supply circuit when said oneplunger is idle and opening said power supply circuit when said oneplunger is actuated, tuning devices operated by others of said plungers,means responsive to the operation of each plunger to open the saidcircuit for its solenoid instantly after that solenoid is renderedactive by its tape switch and close that circuit when the plunger ofsuch solenoid is released by its tape switch, a mechanical latch deviceconstructed and arranged to hold the actuated plunger in actuatedposition and release the previously actuated plunger, and meansresponsive to the absence of tape in said path to prevent said tapecontrolled switches from actuating their respective tuning controlplungers.

4. Program selector apparatus comprising a series of tape controlledswitches, a corresponding series of radio circuit selector switches eachhaving and actuated by a solenoid in circuit with one of said tapeswitches, a plurality of switches each in series with the circuit of oneof said solenoids, means responsive instantly after the actuation ofeach of said selector switches to open the series switch for itssolenoid, and a mechanical latch device common to said selector switchestrolled thereby, tuning means controlled by said selector switch, asecond tape controlled switch, a selector switch controlled by saidsecond tape switch, a power supply circuit controlled by said secondselector switch, a latch for holding either of said selector switches inoperated position and releasing the other, each of said selectorswitches having means for operating said latch also having means forremoving itself from control of its tape switch when held by said latch,said first selector switch being in closed position when held by saidlatch, and said second selector switch being in closed position whenreleased from said latch.

6. Program selector apparatus for changing the tuning of a radio set inaccordance with a tape program record, said apparatus comprising meansproviding a path for the tape, a plurality of tape controlled switchesin said path, a selector switch and associated solenoid for andcontrolled by each of said tape switches, a tuning device controlled byeach of said selector switches, and tape operated means responsive tothe absence of tape in said path to remove said solenoids from controlof said tape switches and prevent said tape controlled switches fromactuating their respective selector switches.

'7. Program selector apparatus comprising a series of station switches,timed controlled means for selectively rendering said switchesoperative, a corresponding series of solenoids controlled by saidswitches, each of said solenoids having a plunger, a series of tuningswitches one for each of said plungers, each of said plungers actuatingits tuning switch when that plunger is actuated, a corresponding seriesof breaker switches each in series with its respective solenoid, each ofsaid plungers having means for opening its respective breaker switchwhen the plunger is actuated, a series of tuning elements, one for eachof said tuning switches, and a latch bar common to said plungers, saidlatch bar having catch and release means operative to catch any one ofsaid plungers when it is actuated and release any previously actuatedone of said plungers, each of said breaker switches being closed whenits respective plunger is in idle position released from said latch bar.

WALTER ALEXANDER LEA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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